Telephone system and apparatus



March 28, 1944.

App arafus l 124 I a. D. WILLIS TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FiledNov. 1'7, 1959 q I Position 4 Sheets-Sheet/l Operafors BERNARD D. WILLISI L, W05 .110 102 subsfqfion I Operafors P051170)? Apparafus I if v 304I rIL q an 1 610 305 I -INVENTOR I Fig. 3

ATTORNEYS TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Operqfors 216 Telephone Se? V P Margma/ W i "280 220 2102.0/0 W t+* fg,y l l flgy t (Z01 r 2 5,40 l -o- 21g 2051 M Ti. 4

- I fie 23 v INVENTOR I 'BERNARD D. WILLIS March 28, 1944. B. D. WILLIS2,345,167

- TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 5400 Insulation y 444 INVENTOR BERNARD D WILLIS ATTORN EYS March 28,1944. B. D. WILLIS TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Filed Nov. 17, 1959 4Sheets-Sheet 4 a 9 5% 82 4 24 W03 4 .4 N22 0 0 G M 8 7. 6 1 1 1 1 mi 11x A 4w! a G O m /.x W 3% S 3244. m mm E4 3 44 A 2 4 1 & 4 0 b a mw w w G4.4 4 2 O 4 Insulqfiozz INVENTOR BERNARD. o. WILLIS ATTORNEYS PatentedMar. 28, 1944 2,345,167 TELEPHONE SYSTEM AND APPARATUS Bernard 1).Willis, Oak Park, Ill., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories,Inc., .a corporation of Delaware Application November 17, 1939, Serial'No. 30.4;906

22 Claims.

The present invention relates to telephone systems and equipment and,more particularly, to improvements in apparatus for transmitting to anoperators position in a central office, information indicative of theamount of coin deposits made by a calling party or customer at asubstation of the paystation type.

In present operating practice, multicoin paystations are usuallyequipped for the collection of coins of only three types, namely,nickels, dimes and quarters, these coins being collected one at a timeas they are dropped into the proper coin slots or chutes Incident to thedeposit of each coin, .an audible signal tone is propagated from thecalling paystation over the associated line to inform the operatorsupervising the call of the value of the depositedcoin. Should thesupervising operator fail to have her telephone instrument bridgedacross the connection as the coins are deposited or fail to distinguishbetween the distinctive coin signals, shemay fail correctly to computethe total value of the coins deposited and thus precipitate a disputewith the customer. In such case, it is necessary for the operator torefund the coins, ask for a redeposit and again compute the value of thecoins as they are again deposited. In all systems of this character, norecords whatever, other than those made by the operators, are obtainablein the central oihce. Moreover, the prior arrangements of the characterdescribed are susceptible of fraudulent use by unscrupulous customers.

It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide in atelephone system, having paystations incorporated therein an improvedand exceedingly simple arrangement for obviating the dimculties brieflyoutlined above and which includes apparatus operative to give a visualindication at an operators position of the total value of coinsdeposited by a customer in making a call at one of the paystationsembodied in the system.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an improvedsubstation of the paystation type which is so arranged thatsubstantially nonaudible signals, indicative of the total value of acoin or coins deposited in the coin receiving means of the station inmaking a call, are generated for transmission over an associated line.

It is a further and more specific object of the invention to provide animproved telephone paystation of the character described, which is soarranged that the individual values of coins deposited in making a callat the station are into the associated registering device.

mitteds from thestation, following which a plurality of signals 'ofuniform character are generated; for-registration at an operatorsposition in the :central :office the number of signals generated beingequal to the integrated value of the deposited coins divided by a commonbase value.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention-there is provided atelephone system which includes a paystation line having a substation ofthe paystation type connected thereto, and a central ofiice operatorsposition at which toll calls originating on the paystation line arehandled. The paystation includes a plurality of coin chutes forreceiving coins or the like of different denominations, and apparatusfor transmitting signals ,over the line to the operators positionindicative of the total value of coins deposited in the coin chutes by acustomer making a call, At the operators position there is provided anindicating device in the form of a register which responds to thereceived signals to give a visual indication of the total value of thecoins deposited by the customer in the coin chutes of the paystation.The apparatus embodied in the paystation'is s0 arranged that the valueor values of a coin or coins deposited in one or more of the coin chutesare first integrated, following which apparatus controlled by theintegrating means operates to generate a plurality of signals equal innumber to the integrated value of the deposited. coin'or coins dividedby a common base value. These signals are in the form of marginaldirectcurrent pulses which are transmitted over theassocia-tedpaystation line to control the energization :of a pair of seriesconnected relays embodied in the operators cord circuit used by theoperator attending the position at which the paystation line terminates.One of these relays functions as a supervisory relay and is so woundthat .it does not respond to the marginal current pulses. The .other ofthe two relays constitutes a register control relay and is of themarginal type such that it responds to the marginal current pulses andfunctions to repeat these pulses More specifically, the coin valueintegrating apparatus embodied in the paystation comprises contactsindividually corresponding to the coin positions of the various coinchutes provided, and means for impressing a predetermined potential uponthose of the contacts which correspond to positions in the chutesoccupied with coins, together with a testswitch which is operativesuccessively to test the contacts for the indicated predetertegratedbefore any coin value'signals are transmined potential and to cause thetransmission of one or more signals over the associated line for eachcontact having the predetermined potential thereon. The contactscorresponding to the coin positions of the various coin chutes are eachconnected to one or more of the bank contacts of the test switch, thenumber of bank contacts connected to each coin position contact beingpredetermined in accordance with the, value represented by theassociated coin position. For ex ample, the contacts corresponding tothe coin positions of the nickel chute are each connected to one bankcontact of the test switch, the contact corresponding to the coinpositions of the dime chute are each multipled to two alternate bankcontacts of the test switch and so on.- By virtue of this arrangementthe number of signals transmitted over the associated line during eachcycle of operation of the test switch is equal to the total value of thecoins deposited, divided by five. Two embodiments of the test switchbank contact wiring are disclosed. In oneembodiment, individual bankcontacts are provided for each coin position of each coin chute, wherebyall coin positions may be successively tested during each cycle ofoperation of the test switch. In the other embodiment, the wiring issuch'that certain of the contacts of the test switch arecommon to morethan one coin position, whereby one cycle of operation of the testswitch is required for each coin deposit.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangementof the apparatus, whereby the above outlined and additional operatingfeatures are attained. Y i

The novel features believed to be characteristic of the invention areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, bothas to its organization and method of operation, together with furtherobjects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference tothe specifica-" tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which Figure'l illustrates'the circuit arrangement of a telephonepaystation and associated line equipment connected and arranged inaccordance with the present invention and forming a part of a telephonesystem; Fig. 2 illustrates an operators cord circuit adapted for use insetting up connections between thepaystation line shown in Fig. 1 andthe other lines of the system; Fig. 3 illustrates an alternative circuitarrangement of a telephone paystation embodying the present invention;Fig. 4 is a partially schematic side view of a telephone paystationhaving'embodied therein apparatus constructed and arranged in accordancewith the present invention: and Figs. 5, 6, '7 and 8 illustrate certainof the details of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4. I

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, thetelephone system there illustrated comprises a line I which extends froma paystation indicated generally at I 0| to an operators position in adistant central oifice where it terminates in a jack I02. The lineequipment associated with the line I00 at the operators position in thecentral office further comprises a call lamp I03 which is arranged to beenergized under the control of a line relay I I0. For the purpose ofsetting up connections between the various lines terminating at theoperators position, there is provided at this position an plug 2M andthe usual supervisory and control this equipment equipment. Morespecifically,

for example, as half dollars.

- inclusive,and the contact segment 70.

comprises a calling party supervisory lamp 202 and 8. called partysupervisory lamp 203 which are arranged respectively to be controlled bysupervisory relays 205 and 2I0. This equipment further includes a pairof ringing keys at 2I2 and 2I3, respectively, which are operative toconnect a ringing current source, not shown, to the calling and calledends of an established connection, respectively, and a coin refund andcollect key at 2. The talking conductors of the operators cord circuitare arranged to be bridged by an operators telephone set 2I6 under thecontrol of a connect key 2| 1.

Referring now more particularly to the equipment provided at thesubstation IOI, this equipment comprises the usual substation apparatus,

indicated generally at II5 and including a receiver, a transmitter, aninduction coil, a ringer and a hook switch normally connected to theconductors I009. and I001; of the line I00, and interconnected in theusual manner. This apparatus further includes a coin collect and refundelectromagnet having windings connected between the line conductor I001.and ground. Since the enumerated elements may be connected in any mannerwell known in the art, these elements have been only schematicallyillustrated. The substation IOI being of the paystation type, furtherincludes a plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coinsof different denominations and deposited byv a customer in making acall. In accordance with the present invention, there is furtherprovided at the substation IOI, apparatus for integrating the value orvalues of a coin or coins deposited in one or more of the coin chutes inmaking a call, and for transmitting to the operators position in thedistant central office a plurality of signals indicative of the totalvalue of the coinor coins deposited. This apparatus comprises a group ofcontact springs I I6 individually associated with the coin positionsprovided in the chutefor receiving coins of one denomination, such, forexample, as nickels; a second group of contact springs I I1 individuallyassociated with the coin positions of the chute provided for receivingcoins of the next larger denomination, such, for example, as dimes; athird group of contact springs H8 individually associated with the coinpositions provided in the chute for receiving coins of the next largerdenomination, such, for example, as quarters; and an additional set ofcontact springs II9 provided in association with the single coinposition of the coin chute adapted to receive coins of the largestdenomination, such, I The various enumerated contact springs arearranged to control the marking of certain of the bank contacts embodiedin a test or integrating switch I20 in accordance with the occupied orunoccupied condition of the respective associated coin positions. Theswitch I 20 is of the rotary or radial type, being provided with sixtynine bank contacts numbered from I to 69, respectively, which aredisposed in an arc of substantially 270 degrees curvature. A contactsegment I0 having the same radius of curvature as the arc defined by thecontacts I to 69, inclusive, is also provided, this segment extendingbetween the contacts I and 69. The switch I 20 also includes an innercollector ring I2I which is arranged to be traversed by a bridging wiperset I22 so that it is successively connected to the wipers numbered fromI to 69,

I In order to. utilize the contact testing operation of the switch I20to transmit signals to the operators position in the distant centraloffice in accordance with the settings of the contact springs 'I [-6, H1, I I 8 and H9, a circuit arrangement is provided which comprises aresistor 323 serially included in one side of the line These signals areprevented from being reproduced as clicks by the receiver embodied inthe substation apparatus I I5 through the provision. of a springs 124which are arranged to be moved into engagement to short-circuit thesubstation apparatus I I5 in response to operation of the wiper set I22from its normal position The signals transmitted over the line I -to theoperators position in the central office, through operation of theapparatus just described may be utilized to control a registering deviceof any desired form. Preferably, one such device incorporated in eachoperators cord circuit in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2. Moreparticularly, the registering means embodied in the illustrated cordcircuit for producing 'a'visual indication of the total value of coinsdeposited by a customer at the substation l ill in making a call is inthe form of an electromagnetic metering device 229, the operating magnetof which is arranged to be energized over a circuit controlled by thesupervisory relay Eili; and a second control relay 235, which latterrelay is connected in series with the relay 3 55 and is of the marginaltype. In order to balance the two sides of a connecticn established tothe operator's cord circuit, there is also provided an impedance element232 having its winding arranged to be connected in series with the lowerwinding of the supervisory relay 285. The impedance of the winding ofthis element is arranged to balance the impedance of the winding of therelay 23H. Preferably, 'the metering device 223 is of the clock type,being provided ith a large hand which is operated step by step inresponse to repeated energization of the associated operating magnet topositions opposite successive numerical digits and which may be manuallyrestored to normal after each stepping operation thereof is completed,and with a small hand which is operative to indicate cumulatively theregistrations made during a plurality of operations of the large hand.

The construction and mechanical arrangement of the contact springs H5,H1, H8 and H9 and the switch E23, and of the apparatus for operatingthese elements, are illustrated in Figs. 4' to 8, inclusive, of thedrawings. As best shown in Fig. 4, this apparatus is enclosed within ashell or housing 5-135 which may also house other portions set ofoff-normal of the substation apparatus, such, for example,

as the induction coil and ringer. This housing is provided with a coinrefund pocket 19i and a coin collect box M2 and extending through theouter face thereof four coin receiving chutes 51135, 403b, 463s and353s, which are of such size 'asto receive nickels, dimes, quarters andhalf dollars, respectively. These chutes extend. throughand are mountedupon the outer side wall of the shell I drawings by means of a coindirecting gate 406 which carries-archer 401 contacting the free end ofthe bottom 4040, and is pivotally mountedat 408 so that it may be rockedabout one of .its edges in either direction. In. order selectively torock'the coin directing gate 406 in ither a clockwise or acounterclockwise direction, thereby to determine whether coins collectedin the hopper 404 are to be refunded or collected, there is provided anelectromagnetic device which comprises an armature 409 pivotally mountedat 4M and arranged to be rotated in either a clockwise or acounterclockwise direction under the control of a pair of electromagnets4H and M2. The field structure of the electromagnetic operating meansjust described preferably includes a permanently magnetized polarizingelement which is so arranged that, when current of one polaritytraverses the-windings 4H and M2, the armature M39 is pivoted in onedirection, and, when current of theopposite polarity traverses thesewindings, the armature 409 is pivoted in the opposite direction. A pinand slot connection including the pin t I3 is provided between thearmature 409 and the gate M6 for the purpose of rocking this gate in onedirection or the other in response to a corresponding pivotal movementof the armature 4109. Operation of the gate 496, in either of its twodirections of movement, is limited through the provision of a pin 4Mcarried by one end of the gate and extending through an arcuately formedslot 415 provided in a side wall, forming a part of the supportingstructure not shown, for the hopper 404.

For the purpose of normally blocking the passage of coins from the coinchutes 683a to 403d, inclusive, into the coin hopper 4%, there is provided a coin discharge gate 455, one end of which is pivotally mountedby means of a bracket K ll and a pivot pin 8 upon the rear wall of theshell Mill. As best shown in Fig. 7, this gate is provided with anenlarged left end having slots 4l6a, 4451;, M and (is formed therein,which are adapted to register with the discharge mouths of the chutes463a, 493b, 33 and 403s, respectively, when the gate M5 is pivoted fromits normal position to its registering position. This gate is normallyspring biased to its normal or coin blocking position by means of a coilspring M9 which extends between the shank of the gate 316 and one sideWall of the housing 459,. and is adapted to be rocked to its coindischarge position through operation of an engaging lever 454. Thislever is pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin 655', is lightly springbiased so that the lower end thereof normally engages the side of theshank of the gate M6, and is arranged to be rocked in response tooperation of the mechanism for operating the switch are.

With the coin discharge gate alt occupying its normal position to blockthe passage of coins from the chutes 433a to 403d, inclusive, into thehopper 464, a number of coin positions are provided in each of thesechutes. Thus, the length of the nickel chute 4fi3a is such that fivecoin positions for receiving five end stacked nickels are providedtherealong. The five sets of contact springs 6s, Heb, H60, Hfid andHi3?v forming the group H5 individually correspond to these five coinpositions provided in the nickel receiving. chute. Similarly, the fivesets of contact springs Illa, H11, H70, ills and l'ile form ing thegroup H! individually correspond to the five coin positions provided inthe dime receiving chute, and the two sets of contact springs H821 and IHit in the group H8 individually correspond to the two coin positions inthe quarter receiving chute. Finally, the set of contact springs H9corresponds to the single coin position provided in the chute arrangedto receive half dollars. As best shown in Fig, 6, the contact springsH69. to IIBe, inclusive, forming the group H6, the contact springs ofthe group III and including the spring set 18., the contact springsforming the group I I8 and includingthe spring set I I8a, and the set ofcontact springs H9 are cantilever mounted upon a plate 429 by means ofinsulated spacing strips 42I, an assembly plate 422 and assembly screwsextending through the pileup of springs and spacing strips and threadedinto the assembly plate 422. When arranged in this manner, the free endsof the various contact springs are disposed opposite the coin positionsof the four coin chutes to which they respectively correspond. Thesprings of each pair, such, for example, as the spring pair H38, carry,at points adjacent the free ends thereof, contacts which are normally inengagement. The rear spring of each pair also carries, at the extremefree end thereof, a coin feeler which is positioned opposite an openingprovided in one side of the associated coin chute so that the free endthereof is adapted to be moved through the opening into thecorresponding coin position at the point,

along this position which corresponds to the .diameter of a coinoccupying the position.

Thus, coin feelers 424a, 424b, I241: and 424d are respectively mountedupon the free ends of the rear springs in each of the spring sets 6a, I"a, '89, and II 9, respectively. The enumerated coin feelers have freeends adapted to extend into oppositely disposed openings formed in theedges of the coin chutes 403a, 4031;,483e and 463s. In order to actuatethe various contact springs so that the feeler carried by the rearspring of each set is moved into the associated opening provided alongthe edge of the associated coin chute, the supporting plate 429 ismounted for pivotal movement about the back edge thereof springs aremoved. into the respective corre' sponding coin positions provided inthe asso-' ciated chutes. In order to impart pivotal movement to theplate 428 an operating arm 428 is provided which is secured to the backside of the plate 420 in any desired manner and is ar ranged to beactuated by the operating mechanism, hereinafter described, for therotary switch I The arm 428 is also arranged to actuate I 20. theoff-normal springs I24 into engagement when moved to its off-normalposition. The

plate 429 is normally biased to its normal posiany suitable portion ofthe associated mounting structure. In order to restrain the plate in itsoff-normal position, wherein the ends of the feelers are projectedthrough the oppositely disposed openings in the coin chutes, against thebias of the spring 429 there is provided a resilient latching element458 mounted upon the back Wall of the housing 400 and provided with afree end normally restrained against movement to its normal positionback of the arm 428 by abutment with the side of this arm. The latchingelement 460 is also provided with an arm 46% which is adapted to beengaged by a camming element embodied in the operating mechanism for theswitch I28 to move the latching element to its unlatching position. Forthe purpose of limiting the movement of the free ends of the contactsprings when the plate 420 is rocked about its pivot pin 421, there areprovided a number of strip-like stops 4309., 43% and 4380 and 438d whichare suitably mounted upon the associated supporting structure and aredisposed opposite the free ends of the various contact springs, in themanner shown in Figs. 4"

and 6.

The mechanism of the rotary switch I20, briefly described, comprises ablock of insulating material 43I, within which the contacts numberedfrom I to 69, inclusive, are moulded in an arcrepresenting approximatelythree quarters of'a circle and upon which is mounted the contact segment18 and the collector ring I2l. This block of insulating material issupported upon the back wall of the housing 488 by means of supportingbrackets 432a,, 4321; and 4320. The contact points arranged around theperiphery of the block 43I are so spaced that adjacent ones thereof arebridged by the associated wiper face of the wiper set I22 during rotarymovement of this wiper set. The wiper set I22 is mounted for rotationwith a stub shaft 433 which is journaled in bearings, one of which isindicated at 434, carried by the associated supporting structure. Morespecifically, the wiper set I22 is mounted upon an end plate 435 carriedby the left end of the stub. shaft 433, by means of an assemblycomprising spacing Washers 433 and 431 formed of insulating material, aface plate" 438 and assembly screws extending through registeringopenings provided in the stacked spacing washers, face plate and wiperarm assembly and threaded into the end plate 435. As best shown in Fig.8, the face plate 438 is in the form of a sector and carries at itsperiphery and near its leading edge a pin 46I which is adapted to-engagethe arm 468a to release the arm 428 and the plate 420 after the wiperset I22 has traversed all of the associated contacts to 69, inclusive.The plate 438 also carries; at a point trailing the pin 46!, a cammingsector 462 which is adapted to engage the upper end of the lever 454 andthus rock this lever in the direction re-' quired to move the gate M6 tothe coin discharge position.

In order to impart rotary movement to the stub shaft 433, thereby todrive the Wiper as-- sembly I22 over its associated contacts, springdriving means comprising a coil spring 433 are provided. One end of thecoil spring 439 is-secured to the end plate 435 and the other end issecured to an arm' 448 which is mounted upon an operating shaft 44I, theshaft 44I being journaled in bearings suitably mounted upon theassociated supporting structure.

Normally, the stub shaft 433 is restrained against rotation by means ofan arm 4359, extending from the plate 435 and carrying, at its outerend, a finger 435s which cooperates with a latching element 442 formedof resilient material and mounted upon the upper wall of the housing400. More particularly, the resilient element 442 is provided with alatching finger 442a which is arranged to restrain the cooperatingfinger 435s of the arm 435a. against movement under the influence of thecoil spring 439. In order to disengage the cooperating latching fingers442a and 435b, the arm 440 carried by the operating shaft 441 isprovided with a finger'44'0t which is adapted to cooperate with thecamming surface provided by the reversely bent portion 442: of theresilient element 442. In order to arrest movement of the arm 4359.after each revo lution of the stub shaft 433, there is provided a pin443 which is mounted upon the arm 435a and is adapted to engage one sideof the arm 440 after each revolution of the shaft 433. For the purposeof insuring a uniform speed of rotation of the wiper set I22 when theshaft 433 is released for movement under the influence of the drivingspring 439, a fiyball governor mechanism is provided, which includes aball race 444 within which the flyballs of the governor are disposed.These balls, not shown,.are respectively carried by resilient arms445eand 445i: mounted upon a governor shaft 446, one end of" which isjournaled within the ball race 444 and the other end of which isjournaled in a bearing bracket 441. This governor shaft is geared to thestub shaft 433 by means of a worm gear drive which includes a spur gear440 and a worm gear 449.

In order to tension the coil spring 439 preparatory to releasing. thestub shaft 433 for. rotation under the influence of this spring, anoperating handle or crank 450 is mounted on the end of the operatingshaft 44I extending externally of the housing 400. Reverse rotation ofthe shaft 44I under the influence of the spring 439 is prevented throughthe provision of a ratchet wheel 45I mounted upon the shaft MI andarranged to cooperate with a latching pawl 452 mounted upon the upperwall of thehousing 400. Rotation of the shaft 44I totension the spring439 is also utilized for the purpose of actuating the arm 428and theplate 420 to move the contact springs IIS, 1,. H8 and H9 so that thecoin feelers respectively carried by certain thereof are moved into thecorresponding coin positions of the associated coin chutes. To thisend,. the upper end of the arm 428 is provided with a camming projection4 89, which is disposed in the path of movement of a projection 4539,provided on the front face of a collar 453 which is mounted. upon theshaft 44I.

In the operation of the system and apparatus thus far described, if acustomer desiring to use the paystation IOI initiates a call at thisstation by removing the receiver provided thereat from its associatedswitchhook, the hook switch is 0-perated to complete a loop circuitthrough the windings of the line relay II 0, this circuit extending fromground through the lower winding of the relay IIO, the jack springs I05,the line conductor I001, the. segment I0 of the switch I20, the wiperset I22, the collector ring I-2;I, the direct current bridge establishedfrom. the collector ring IZI to the line conductor I00a; through thehook switch springs embodied in the apparatus II5, over the-conductorI005, and through the jack springs I04 and the upper winding of therelay III] to battery. When energized over this circuit, the relay I I0operates to complete, at its armature I"I2; an"obvious'circuit forenergizing the call lamp I03; Upon observing the lighted. condition ofthis lamp, the operator attending the operators position at which thejack I02 is located may answer the call by inserting the answer plug 20%in this jack. In. response to this operation, the jack springs I04 andI05 are respectively disengaged to open the above-traced operatingcircuit for the relay H0; causing this relay to restore open the circuitfor energizing the signal lamp I03. Simultaneously with this operation,the tip and ring contacts of the plug 200' engage the tip and ringcontacts of the jack I02 so that the two relays 230and 205 are energizedin series over the established lbop, talking battery being supplied tothis loop through the windings of thejsupervi'sory relay 205. The relay230 operates, when energized in this circuit, and opens, at its armatime231, a pointin the circuit for energizing the operating magnet of theregistering device 220. Shortly following the operation of the relay230, the relay 295' operates to prepare, at its armature- 206, thecircuit for energizing the operating magnet of the registering device220. At its armature 201', the relay 205' opens a point in the circuitfor energizing the supervisory lamp 202. After inserting the answer plug200 in the jack I02, the operator may establish a talking circuitbetween her telephone set 2H5 and the calling-substation I0I- byoperating the connect key 211- to 'its' off-normal position so that theline terminals of the telephone set 2% are bridged across the talkingconductors of the cord circuit. Following this operation, the operatormayconverse with the calling subscriber and ascertain the substation orparty desired. From this information she may calculate the minimumcharge to be madefor the call and instruct the calling subscriber todeposit coins equal to the minimum charge and to operate the crank 450for the purpose of causing the coin deposits to be indicated by theregistering device 220. As suming that the ca1l is a toll call and,further, that the minimum charge is one and one-quarter dollars, thecalling part, after being informed of" this charge, may 'pay theassessment by depositing one half dollar, two quarters, one dime andthree nickels inthe chutes 403e, 4030, 403p and 403's; repectivelyprovided for receiving coins of these denominations. When deposited,these coins fall downward to occupy the lowermost coin positions ofthe-chutes in which they are deposited, the first deposited coin in eachchute abutting the discharge gate- 413 to occupy the lowermost coinposition of that chute, the second coin deposited in each'chute beingstacked edgewise' on the first deposited coin and occupying the secondcoin position of the chute, and so on. After depositing the coins havingthe requisite total*value,- the calling party operates the crank 450through an arc equa1 to substantiallyone revolution ofthe shaft 4'4I.During such rotation of the shaft 44!, the spring 439 is tensionedpreparatory to imparting rotary movement to the stub shaft 433-this stubshaft being restrainedduring such movement cf the operating shaft 44I:through engagement of the latching: finger 435s of the arm 435a with thelatching finger 442a of the'latching element 442. During the initialmovement of the shaft 44-1, the camming projection 45a of thecollar 553engages the camming projection G2ato move the arm 428flto th'eleft'from'the position shown in Fig. eof 'the drawings In response tothismovement" of the arm 423 the cif no'rmal springs I-2'4 are moved intoengagement to short-circuit the substation apparatus H and the plate 420is pivoted clockwise about its pivot pin 421 so that the free ends ofthe contact springs H6, H1, H8 and H9 are moved to the left to projectthe coin feelers carried thereby into the corresponding openin sprovided in the respective associated coin chutes. Those of the coinfeelers which correspond to occupied coin positions in the coin chutesengage the edges of the coins to limit the movement of the contactsprings upon which they are respectively mounted. Thus, in the caseassumed, wherein the single coin position of the coin chute 4034provided to receive half dollars is occupied, the feeler 424d engagesthe edge of the coin deposited in this chute during the initial movementof the plate 420, thereby to prevent further movement of the free end ofthe spring upon which it is mounted. During further movement of theplate 420, this spring is flexed so that the normally engaged contactsrespectively carried by this spring and the associated spring aredisengaged. In a similar manner, the contacts carried by the springs ofthe contact sets corresponding to other occupied coin positions arethose portions of the contact bank which correspond to coins of largerdenominations. Thus, one contact springof each spring 'set, such, forexample, as the set I '18., corresponding to a coin position in the dimechute, is multipled to two adjacent odd-numbered contacts of the contactbank embodied in the switch I20. Similarly, one contact spring of eachcontact spring set, such, for example, as the set 8a, corresponding to acoin position in the quarter chute, is multipled to five adjacentodd-numbered contacts of the bank, embodied in the switch I29, and onecontact spring of the spring set H9 is multipled to ten adjacentodd-numbered contacts of this bank.

During the final rotary movement of the shaft I, the finger 440s of thearm 449 rides into engagement with the camming surface provided by theunder side of thereversely bent portion .4421 of the latching element442. As a result, .the finger 4 22s of this latching element is movedupward to the position shown in Fig. 5 of the respectively disengagedwhen the plate 420 is to these positions without restraint. Accordingly,the contacts carried by the contact springs, upon which thelast-mentioned feelers are mounted, are not disengaged during rotationof the plate 420. As indicated previously, movement of the free ends ofthe contact springs is limited by the stop strips 430s, 430s, 43% and43%, these stop strips being so disposed as to prevent the associatedcoin feelers from engaging coins of wrong denominations deposited in theassociated coin chutes. For example, if a penny is deposited in thenickel chute 03a to occupy the lowermost coin position in this chute,the stop 430a. will arrest movement of the spring set H68 before thecoin feeler 424a engages the edge of the penny, and will thus preventthe contacts of this contact spring set from being separated. By virtueof this arrangement the false registration of deposited coins or slugsof improper dimensions is positively prevented. During the translationof the arm 428 in the manner just explained, the free end of thelatching element 460 is disengaged from the side of this arm. As aresult, the element 460 assumes its unflexed position wherein the freeend thereof prevents the arm 428 from returning to its normal positionunder the influence of the spring 429 when the camming projections 453aand 428a are disengaged in response to continued rotation of the shaftI.

From the foregoing explanation it will be apparent that in the presentassumed case wherein one half dollar, two quarters, one dime and threenickels are deposited in the coin chutes, the contact springs Hfia,IIEb, 60, 1a, 8a., H81, and H9 are respectively disengaged, so thatopen-circuit or zero potential markings are present on the contacts I,3, 5, H and I3 and the odd-num bered ones of contacts 31 to 69,inclusive, of the contact bank embodied in the rotary switch I20. Inthis regard, it will be apparent that each oddnum-bered contact point ofthe contact bank corresponds to a unit or base value of five cents,appropriate multiples between two or more adjacent odd-numbered contactsbeing provided for 7s drawings to release the latching finger 435s ofthe arm 4352.. When this finger is released, the stub shaft 433 is freedfor rotation under the influence of the tensioned spring 439, the speedof this shaft during rotation being maintained substantially'constantthrough operation of the worm driven flyball governor arrangementpreviously described. As the stub shaft 433 and the arm 435a. rotate,the wiper set I22 is rotated therewith so that the outer brush of thewiper set successively engages the contacts of the associated contactset numbered from I to 69, inclusive, and finally the conducting segmentI0. During this movement of the wiper set and when the outer brushthereof is positioned solely in engagement with the contact I of theassociated contact bank, the normally completed path through the switchI20 for short-circuiting the resistor I 23 is opened so that thisresistor is serially included in the circuit over which the relays 230and 205 are being held energized. More particularly, with the first coinposition of the nickel chute occupied, the contact springs HGa aredisengaged so that, when the outer brush of the wiper set I22 is movedsolely to engage the contact I of the contact bank, the line conductorHills is disconnected from the collector ring I2 I thus effectivelyopening the short circuit normally maintained across the resistor I23;Thereafter and when the wiper I22 is moved to connect the contact 2 ofthe contact bank to the collector ring I2I, the 'short-circuiting pathjust described is recompleted. In a similar manner, when the wiper setI22 is moved to bridge the contact 3 ofv the contact bank and thecollector ring I2I, the shortcircuiting path is again interrupted sincethe coin position corresponding to the contact springs H61; is occupiedwith a coin and these contact springs are separated. Theshort-circuiting path isthereafter recompleted when the wiper set I22 ismoved to engage the contact 4 of the contact bank, is interrupted whenthis wiper set is moved to engage the contact 5 of the contact bank, andis again completed and held completed when the wiper set is traversingthe contacts numbered from 6 to Ill, inclusive. Further, the pathshortcircuiting the resistor I23 is opened and completed'twice while thewiper set I 22 is traversing the contacts numbered from II to I4,inclusive, of the contact bank, due to the fact that the lowermost coinposition of the dime chute is occupied with a coin so that the contactsprings I '13 are separated. During further movement of the wiper setI22, no further interruption of the short-circuiting path occurs untilthe wiper set engages the contact 3! of the contact bank. From thispoint on and until the wiper set I22 is moved to engage the conductingsegment 10, the path short-circuiting the resistor I23 is alternatelycompleted and interrupted as the wiper set is moved to engage succeedingcontacts. From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that thepath normally short-circuiting the resistor I 23 is interrupted andrecompleted twenty-five times, thus causing twenty-five pulses of directcurrent to be transmitted over the line Hill and through the windings ofthe relays 239 and 2515. More particularly, each time the resistor I 23is included in the circuit for energizing these relays, the marginalrelay 23d restores to complete the circuit for energizing the operatingmagnet of the registering device 220, this relay reoperating each timethe path short-circuiting the resistor I is recompleted to increase theenergization of the Winding thereof. Thus, in the example underconsideration, twenty-five current pulses are delivered to the operatingmagnet of the registering device 22%), causing twenty-five registrationsto be made by this device.

During this registering operation, the relay 2% remains in its operatedposition, this relay being adjusted not to restore when the resistor I23 is included in its operating circuit. Each registration of themetering device 229 represents a deposit of five cents at the paystationIIH. Accordingly, the twenty-five registrations which are made by thisdevice indicate that the total value of the coins deposited is equal toone and onequarter dollars or the minimum charge assessed by theoperator for the call. It will be observed that all of the bank contactsof the test switch 523 are traversed by the wiper set during the firstthree-quarters of the revolution of the stub shaft 433.

During the initial portion of the final quarter turn of the stub shaft433, the pin fii carried by the plate 538 rides over the end of the arm4652a, thereby to move the latching element 460 from behind the arm 528.As a result, the arm 428 and the plate 428 are moved to normal under theinfluence of the spring s29. During such movement, the arm 428 ispositioned to restrain the latching element 535 in its flexed positionafter the pin 33! has passed over the end of the arm Esta, theoff-normal contacts i2 3 are disengaged to open the pathshort-circuiting the substation apparatus I15, and the coin feelers arewithdrawn from the coin chutes. Shortly following the release of thecoin feelers and during continued rotation of the stub shaft 433 the camsegment 5%2 rides into engagement with the upper end of the lever 354 torock this lever in the direction required to move the gate 416 to itscoin discharge position against the bias of the spring 419. In responseto this operation the openings il'ea, iItb, lific and lIBd are broughtinto registration with the discharge ends of the chutes 433a, 593b, 393cand dild, respectively, permitting the coins deposited in the chutes topass into the coin hopper 464. After further rotation of the shaft 433the cam segment Q62 rides out of engagement with the upper end of thelever 454 permitting this lever and the discharge gate 4 8 to bereturned to normal under the influence of the spring 4H5. During thefinal movement of the stub shaft 333, the finger 435s carried by the arm435a rides into engagement with the camming surface provided by thelower side of. the reversely bent portion 442s, of the. latching G18:

ment 442. As a result, the latching finger 44 2s is moved upward and outof engagement with the finger 440a. of the arm 4 88, thereby to permitthe arm M6 to be rotated through another revolution. Following thedisengagement of the fingers 442s and 440a, the pin M3 carried by thearm 445a engages the arm Mt so that the arm 4352 is restrained againstfurther rotation and is left standing in the position illustrated inFig. 5 of the drawings. When the arm 435s reaches this position, the twoshafts 433 and Mi are again at normal and the wiper set I22 againbridges the collector ring I2! and the contact segment It.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that, as a result ofdepositing the enumerated coins and operating the crank 159, thecustomer using the paystation Ir'iI has caused the metering device 220to make twenty-five registrations, thus visually indicating to theoperator handling the call that coins representing the assessed chargehave been deposited at the paystation. If desired, the operator may, byactuating the key 2H, utilize her telephone set ZIS to answer orsupervise other calls while the coins are being deposited and the coinregistrations'are made by the metering device 2123. After this meteringdevice has registered the total value of the coins deposited, theoperator may proceed to secure a connection with the desired line byinserting the plug ZElI in a jack at her position which terminates atrunk. extending to an operators position in a distant exchange, andthereafter operating the ringing key 2i3 to project ringing current overthe trunk for the purpose of energizing the signal device associatedwith the distant end of the trunk. From this point on, the call may beprogressively routed to the desired subscriber line of the system in theusual manner. After the desired connection is completed, the operatormay free her telephone set 2I6 for use in completing other connectionsby restoring the connect key 25? to normal. Following this operation,the supervisory relays 2G5 and 2M, in conjunction with the associatedsupervisory signal lamps 2E2 and 2183, may be relied upon to indicatewhen the connection i ready to be released. In this regard, it will beapparent that, when the customer at the paystation IOI restores thereceiver at this station to its supporting hook, the loop circuitextending through the windings of the relays 236 and M5 is interruptedand these relays restore. The relay 285, upon restoring, completes acircuit, extending from ground, through the sleeve contacts of the jackI82 and the plug 2%, and the armature 201, for energizing thesupervisory lamp 202, thus indicating to the operator that the callingparty has released the connection. If the calling party has used theestablished connection for a period exceeding the minimum charge period,the operator may signal this party by operating the ringing key 252 tocause ringing cur rent to be projected over the line 599 and through thewindings of the bell or ringer conventionally embodied in the substationapparatus lid The resulting operation of the ringer serves to inform thecustomer that h is being recalled by the operator. Assuming that thecustomer answers, the loop circuit extending by way of the line I00 isagain completed to cause the reoperation of the relays 239 and 205.Following the recompletion of the talking circuit in this manner, theoperator may instruct the calling party to make the required additionaldeposit and to again operate the crankttt for the purpose of causing thetotal value of the additional coins deposited to be registered by theregistering or metering device 220, all in the manner explainedpreviously. Before making such request, the operator may manuallyrestore the metering device 220 to normal so that only the value of theadditional deposits will be registered thereby during the secondoperation of the pulse generating apparatus provided at the paystation Il After the call has been terminated, the op erator may cause the coinsheld in the hopper 404 to be collected by momentarily operating the key2M to its coin collect off-normal position. When this key is moved toitscoin collect position, the negative terminal of a booster battery sourceH8 is connected to the line conductor l00a and the positive terminal ofthis source is connected to ground. As a result, current is caused totraverse the windings 4H and 412 of the coin collect and refundelectromagnet in a direction such that the armature 409 is pivoted in acounterclockwise direction from the position shown in Fig. 4 of thedrawings. In response to this operation, the gate 406 is also rotated ina counterclockwise direction, causing the roller 40'! to be moved to theleft and downward, thus permitting the free end of the hopper bottom4040 to move downward. As a result of the cooperating inclined surfacesof the hopper bottom 4040 and the gate 406, the coins are dischargedinto the coin receiving box 402. When the key 214 is released by theoperator to disconnect the booster battery source 2l8 from the lineconductor 00a, the windings 4| 1 and M2 of the coin collect and refundelectromagnet are deenergized, permitting the armature 409 to berestored to its normal position under the influence of spring means, notshown. During the movement of this armature to its normal position, thegate 406 is rotated clockwise back to its normal vertical position, andthe roller 40'! carried thereby elevates the free end of the hopperbottom 404;: to its normal position.

If, for any reason, the call is not successfully completed, the operatormay refund the coins deposited by the customer at the paystation l0| bymomentarily operating the key 2l4 to its coin refund off-normalposition. In response to this operation, the positive terminal of abooster battery source H9 is connected to the line conductor 160a andthe negative terminal of this source is connected to ground. In thiscase, the windings 4H and 412 of the coin collect and refundelectromagnet are energized in a direction such that the armature 400 ispivoted in a, clockwise direction. As a result, the gate 406 is alsopivoted in a clockwise direction so that the roller 40! is moved to theright and lowered to permit the free end of the hopper bottom 40% tomove downward. In this case, the inclined coacting surfaces of thehopper bottom 4114c and the gate 406 are so positioned relative to eachother that the coins held in the hopper 404 are discharged into the coinrefund pocket it! from which they may be extracted by the customer. Whenthe key 2l4 is released by the operator and thus permitted to return toits normal position, the booster battery source 2 I 9 is disconnectedfrom the line conductor l00a, causing the windings 4H and M2 of the coincollect and refund magnet to be deenergized. As a result, the armature409 is moved under the infiuence of the spring biasing means, not shown,back to its normal position and, during such movement, pivots the gate406 in a clockwise direction back to its normal position. During thereturn movement of the armature 409, the roller 40'! carried by the gate405 forces the free end of the hopper bottom 46% upward so that, whenmovement of" the armature is completed, this element also occupies itsnormal position.

Following a coin collect or coin refund operation of the character justdescribed, the operator may fully release the cord circuit employed insetting up the connection by withdrawing the plug 200 from the jack I02.

From the foregoing explanation, it will be apparent that in thearrangement shown in Fig. l of the drawings, provisions are made at thepaystation for transmitting to the operator's position signalsindicative of the total value of a plurality of deposited coins, ail inone operation. If desired, the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 of thedrawings may be employed, whereby the signals representing the value ofeach coin are transmitted to the operators position after each coin isdeposited. Due to the similarity between the arrangements respectivelyshown in Figs. 1 and. 3, corresponding elements of the two sets ofapparatus have been identified by reference numerals having the sametens and units digits but different hundreds digits which respectivelydesignate the figure number. The primary difference between theapparatus shown in Fig. 3 and that shown in Fig. l of the drawings,resides in the arrangement and size of the contact bank provided in therotary switch 320 and in the number of sets of contact springs which areprovided in association with the four coin chutes. More particularly, inthe Fig. 3 arrangement, only one coin position is provided in each chuteand, accordingly, only one set of associated contact springs isrequired. Thus, the contact springs 3I6, 3E7, 3H3 and M9 arerespectively provided in association with the nickel, dime, quarter andhalf dollar coin chutes, respectively. These sets of contact springs areconnected in series in the order named, the last set thereof beingconnected to the line conductor 3001,. The mechanical construction andarrangement of the switch 32$ and of the contact springs 3l6 and H9,inclusive, and of the operating mechanism for these elements, may besubstantially identical with the corresponding apparatus illustrated inFigs. 4 to 8, inclusive, for the circuit arrangement shown in Fig. 1.With the wiring arrangement illustrated in Fig. 3 if a nickel isdeposited in the nickel chute such that the contact springs 3i6 arecaused to be disengaged prior to operation of the wiper set 322, thecontact I of the contact bank is open-circuited so that the pathnormally short-circuiting the resistor 323 is interrupted andrecompleted once during the revolution of the wiper set. As a result, asingle current impulse is transmitted over the line 388. On the otherhand, if a dime is deposited in the dime chute such that the contactsprings 3H are disengaged prior to operation of the wiper set thecontacts I and 3 of the contact bank are open-circuited so that the pathnormally short-circuiting the resistor 323 is interrupted andrecompleted twice during the revolution of the wiper set 322.Accordingly, two current pulses are transmitted over the line 300.Alternatively, if a quarter is deposited in the quarter chute such thatthe springs 3? are disengaged prior to rotation of the wiper set 322,the contacts I, 3, 5, 1 and 9 of the contact bank are open-circuited tocause five current pulses to be transmitted over the line 308 during onerevolution of the wiper set 322. Finally, if a half dollar is depositedin the corresponding coin chute such that the contact springs 3|9 aredisengaged prior to rotation of the wiper set 322, all of theodd-numbered contacts of the contact bank are open-circuited, causingten current pulses to be transmitted over the line 380 during therevolution of the wiper set 322. By virtue of the arrangement justdescribed, the total number of contacts which are required in thecontact bank of the switch 320 is reduced to a minimum with a consequentreduction in the cost of construction. The primary disadvantage of thiswiring ar rangement, as compared with that shown in Fig. 1 of thedrawings, resides in the fact that the signal generating apparatus mustbe separately operated once for each coin deposited in order to causethe required signals to be transmitted over the line 300.

While there has been described what is alpresent considered to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided withregistering means operative to make one registration in response to eachof a plurality of received signals; a pay station including means forreceiving a plurality of coins of different denominations having eithera base value or a multiple of said base value, testing means operativeto determine the total value of a plurality of coins previouslydeposited in said coin receiving means. and means controlled by saidtesting means for transmitting a plurality of signals to saidregistering means equal in number to the value of the deposited coinsdivided by said base value.

2. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided withindicating means operative in response to different numbers of receivedsignals to produce different visual indications; a paystation includinga plurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins ofdiiferent denominations, coin feelers arranged to extend into saidchutes at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters ofcoins deposited in said chutes, means for moving said feelers into saidchutes so that a coin deposited in one of said chutes is engaged by thefeeler corresponding to the position of the deposited coin and the otherfeelers move into the corresponding positions provided to receive coins,contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and individuallyset in accordance with the positions occupied by the respectiveassociated feelers following the operation of said last-named means, andcircuit means controlled in accordance with the setting of the contactset corresponding to said deposited coin for transmitting one or moresignals to said indicating means indicative of the value of saiddeposited coin.

3. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided withindicating means operative in response to different numbers of receivedsignals to produce different indications; a paystation including aplurality of coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of differentdenominations, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at thepositions therealong corresponding to the diameters of coins depositedin said chutes, means for moving said feelers into said chutes so thatthe coins de-' posited in said chutes are engaged by the feelerscorresponding to the positions of the deposited coins'and the otherfeelers move into the corresponding positions-provided to receive coins,contact sets individually correspondingto said feelers and eachincluding contact springs arranged to occupy different relativepositions de-' pending upon the position occupied by the re-' spectiveassociated'feeler' following operation of said last-named means, and atest switch opera-' tive successively "to test said contact setsand" totransmit at least one signal to said indicating means each time a set ofcontacts is tested which includes springsoccupying a relative positionindicating that a" coinis deposited in the corresponding position of oneof said chutes.

4.'In'a telephone system which'includes an exchange provided withregistering means "operativeto make one registration in response to eachof a plurality'of received'signals; a paystation including a'pluralityof coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of differentdenominations having either a base value or amultiple of said basevalue, coinfeelers arranged to extend intosaid chutes at the positionstherealong corresponding to the diameters of coins deposited in saidchutes, means for moving said feelers intosaid chutes so that coinsdeposited in said chutes are engaged by the feelers corresponding to thepositions of the deposited coins and the "other feelers are moved intothe corresponding unoccupied positions p 79: vided to receive coins,contact sets individually corresponding to said feelers and individuallyset in accordance with the positions occupied" bythe respectiveassociated feelers, following the op'eration'of said last-named means,and circuit means controlled in accordance with'the' settings of saidcontact sets for transmitting to said registering means a plura ity ofsignals equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in saidchutes in making a call divided by said base value. i

5. In a telephone system which includes an exchange provided withregistering means operative to make one registration inresponse to eachof a plurality of received signals; a paystation including a pluralityof coin receiving chutes adapted to receive coins of differentdenominations having either a base .value orv a multiple of said basevalue, coin feelers arranged to extend into said chutes at the positionstherealong corresponding to the diameters of coins a test switchoperative successively to test saidcontacts-and controlled in accordancewith the settings of said contacts to transmit to :said registeringmeans a plurality of signals equal in number to the total valueof coinsdeposited in said chutes in making a call divided by said base value.

6. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receivea plurality of coins, contacts individually corresponding to the coinpositions in said chute and means for impressing a predeterminedpotential upon those of said contacts corresponding to positions in saidchute occupied with coins, a test switch operative to test said contactsfor said predetermined potential, and circuit means controlled inaccordance with the number of said contacts having said predeterminedpotential thereon for generating a number of current pulses indicativeof the total value of coins deposited in said coin chute.

7. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed to receivea plurality of coins, a coin hopper disposed below said chute, adischarge gate normally positioned to block the passage of coins fromsaid chute into said hopper, contacts individually corresponding to thecoin positions in said chute and means for impressing a predeterminedpotential upon those of said contacts corresponding to positions in saidchute occupied with coins, a test switch operative to test said contactfor said predetermined potential, circuit means controlled in accordancewith the number of said contacts having said predetermined potentialthereon for generating a number of current pulses indicative of thetotal value of coins deposited in said coin chute, and means for movingsaid gate to discharge 'coinsfromsaid chute into said hopper followingthe operation of said test switch to test all of said contacts.

8. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutesconstructed to receive coins of different denominations, contactsindividually corresponding'to the coin positions in said chutes andmeans for impressing a predetermined potential upon one of said contactscorresponding to a position in one of said chutes occupied with a coin,a test switchoperative to test said contacts for said predeterminedpotential, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the potentialon said one contact for generating one or more current pulses indicativeof the value of the coin deposited in said one chute.

9. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutesconstructed to receive coins of different denominations, a coin hopperdisposed below said chutes, a discharge gate normally positioned toblock the passage of coins from said chutes into said hopper, contactsindividually corresponding to the coin positions in said chutes andmeans for impressing a predetermined potential upon'one of said contactscorresponding to a position in one of said chutes occupied with a coin,a test switch operative to test-said contacts for said predeterminedpotential, circuit means controlled in accordance with the potential onsaid one contact for generating one or more current pulses indicative ofthe value of the coin deposited in said one chute, and means for movingsaid gate to discharge the deposited coin from said one chute into saidhopper following the operation of said test switch to test all of saidcontacts.

10. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutesconstructed to receive coins of different denominations having either abase value or a multiple of said base value, contacts individuallycorresponding to the coin positions in said'chutes and means forimpressing a predetermined potential upon those of said contactscorresponding to positions in said chutes occupied with coins, a testswitch operative to test said contacts for said predetermined potential,and circuit means controlled in accordance with the number of contactshaving said predetermined potential thereon for generating one currentpulse when one of said contacts corresponding to an occupied base valuecoin position is tested by said switch and for generating, when one ofsaid contacts corresponding to an occupied multiple base value coinposition is tested by said switch, a number of current pulses equal tosaid multiple, whereby the total number of current pulses generatedduring operation of said switch is indicative of the total value ofcoins deposited in said chutes.

11. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receivingchutes, means for integrating the values of coins deposited in saidchutes, and means controlled by said integrating means and operativeonly after all of said coins have been deposited for generating aplurality of signals equal in number to said integrated value divided bya common base value.

12. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receivingchutes, means for integrating the values of coins deposited in saidchutes, and means controlled by said integrating means and operativeonly after all of said coins have been deposited for generating aplurality of signals indicative of said integrated value.

13. A telephone paystation comprising a chute constructed to receive aplurality of coins, means for integrating the values of coins depositedin said chute, and means controlled by said integrating means andoperative only after all of said coins have been deposited forgenerating a plurality of signals equal in number to said integratedvalue divided by a common base value.

14. A telephone paystation comprising a chute constructed to receive aplurality of coins, means for-integratingthe values of coins depositedin said chute, and means controlled by said integrating means andoperative only after all of said coins have been deposited forgenerating a plurality of signals indicative of said integrated value.

15. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed toreceive a plurality of coins, coin feelers arranged to extend into saidchute at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters ofstacked coins deposited in said chute, means for moving said feelersinto said chute so that the coins deposited in said chute are engaged bythe feelers corresponding to the positions of said deposited coins andthe other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupied positionsprovided to receive coins, contact sets individually corresponding tosaid feelers and set in accordance with the positions occupied by therespective associated feelers following the operation of said last-namedmeans, and circuit means controlled in accordance with the settings ofsaid contacts for generating a plurality of current pulses indicative ofthe total value of coins deposited in said chute.

16. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed toreceive a plurality of coins, coin feelers arranged to extend into saidchute at the positions therealong corresponding to the diameters ofstacked coins deposited in said chute, means for moving said feelersinto said chute so that the coins deposited in said chute are engaged bythe feelers corresponding to the posi-' tions of said deposited coinsand the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupiedpositions provided to receive coins, contact sets individuallycorresponding to said feelers and arranged to have difierent settingsdepending upon the positions occupied by the respective associatedfeelers following operation of said lastnamed means, and a test switchoperative successively to test said contacts and controlled inaccordance with the settings of said contacts to generate a plurality ofcurrent pulses indicative of the total value of coins deposited in saidchute.

17. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receivingchutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations having eithera base value or a multiple of said base value, coin feelers arranged toextend into said chutes at the positions therealong corresponding to thediameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving saidfeelers into said chutes so that coins deposited in said chutes areengaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of the depositedcoins and the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupiedpositions provided to receive coins, contact sets individuallycorresponding to said feelers and set in accordance with the positionsoccupied by the respective associated feelers following operation ofsaid lastnamed means, and circuit means controlled in accordance withthe settings of said contact sets for generating a plurality of currentpulses equal in number to the total value of coins deposited in saidchutes divided by said base value.

18. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin receivingchutes adapted to receive coins of different denominations having eithera base value or a multiple of said base value, coin feelers arranged toextend into said chutes at th positions therealong corresponding to thediameters of coins deposited in said chutes, means for moving saidfeelers into said chutes so that coins deposited in said chutes areengaged by the feelers corresponding to the positions of the depositedcoins and the other feelers are moved into the corresponding unoccupiedpositions provided to receive coins, contact sets individuallycorresponding to said feelers and arranged to have different settingsdepending upon the positions occupied by the respective associatedfeelers following operation of said last-named means, and a test switchoperative successively to test said contacts and controlled inaccordance with th settings of said contacts to generate a plurality ofcurrent pulses equal in number to the total value of coins deposited insaid chutes divided by said base value.

19. A telephone paystation comprising a coin chute constructed toreceive a plurality of coins, coin feelers arranged to extend into saidchute at points therealong corresponding to the diameters of coinsstacked in said chute, pairs of contact springs each including a springcarrying one of said feelers at the free end thereof, whereby each pairof said springs occupies different circuit controlling positionsdepending upon the engagement or disengagement of the associated feelerwith a coin in said chute when said springs are operated to move saidfeelers into said chute, a test switch including bank contacts connectedto said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse said bankcontacts, spring means for driving said wiper over said bank contacts,locking means normally restraining said wiper against rotary movement;operating means operative to bias said contact springs so that saidfeelers are moved into said chute, to tension said spring means and torelease said locking means so that said wiper. is driven over said bankcontacts; and circuit means controlled in accordance with the positionsof said contact'springs for generating a plurality of current pulsesindicative. of the total value of coins deposited in said chute.

20. A telephone system comprising a plurality of coin chutes constructedto receive coins of different denominations having either a base valueor a multiple of said base value, coin feelers adapted to extend intosaid chutes at positions therealong corresponding to the diameters ofcoins deposited in said chutes, pairs of contact springs each includinga spring carrying one of said feelers at the free end thereof, wherebythe springs of each pair occupy different relative positions dependingupon the engagement or disengagement of the associated feeler with acoin in one of said chutes when said springs are operated to move saidfeelers into said chutes, a rotary test switch including bank contactsconnected to said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse saidbank contacts, spring means for driving said wiper over said bankcontacts, locking means normally restraining said wiper againstmovement; operating means operative to a move said contact springs sothat said feelers are moved into said chute, to tension said springmeans and to release said locking means so that said wiper is drivenover said bank contacts; and circuit means controlled in accordance withthe relative positions of said contact springs for generating aplurality of current pulses equal in number to the total value of coinsdeposited in said chutes divided by said base value.

21. A telephone paystation including a coin chute constructed to receivea. plurality of coins, a coin hopper disposed below said chute, adischarge gate normally blocking the passage of coins from said chuteinto said hopper, a plurality of coin feelers arranged to extend intosaid chute at points therealong corresponding to the diameters of coinsstacked in said chute, pairs of contact springs each including a springcarrying one of said feelers at the free end thereof, whereby thesprings of each pair occupy different relative positions depending uponthe engagement or disengagement of the associated feeler with a coin insaid chute, a rotary switch including bank contacts connected to certainof said contact springs and a wiper adapted to traverse said bankcontacts; operating means for moving said contact springs to move saidfeelers into said chute, for driving said wiper over said bank contactsand for actuating said gate to pass coins held in said chute into saidhopper, all in the order named; and circuit means controlled inaccordance with the relative positions of said contact springs forgenerating a plurality of current pulses indicative of the total valueof coins deposited in said chute.

22. A telephone paystation comprising a plurality of coin chutesconstructed to receive coins of different denominations having either abase value or a multiple of said base value, a coin hopper disposedbelow said chutes, a discharge gate normally positioned to block thepassage of coins from said chutes into said hopper, a plurality of coinfeelers arranged to extend into said chute 'at points therealongcorresponding to the diamchutes, a test switch "including bank contactsconnected to certain of said contact springs and a wiper adapted totraverse said bank contacts; operating means for biasing said contactsprings to move said feelers into said chutes, for driving said wiperover said bank contacts and for actuating said gate to pass coins heldin said chutes into said hopper, all in the order named; and circuitmeans controlled in accordance with the relative positions of saidcontact springs for generating a plurality of impulses equal in numberto the total value of coins deposited in said chutes divided by saidbase value.

BERNARD D. WILLIS.

